French leader has moved to take control over economic reforms with shows of real and symbolic power France’s army chief resigned Wednesday in a spat with President Emmanuel Macron over defense spending, the first major test of the new leader’s authority as he moves to take swift control over economic reforms. Pierre de Villiers’ resignation is the culmination of rising tensions between the two men after the government said it would cut military spending by €850 million ($982 million) this year to plug holes in France’s public finances. “In the current circumstances, I consider I am no longer able to ensure the durability of the model of the army that I believe in to guarantee the protection of France and French people, today and in the future,” Gen. de Villiers said in a statement announcing…